Practical information

Opening Time

•   Around the ramparts: no shouting, no climbing, items thrown from the ramparts put people in danger.
•   Evacuation in event of fire: sound and light alarms; staff will assist.
•   The staff identifiable with their yellow vests are in charge of the evacuation of the public in peace.
•   The permanent staff trained in first aid is able to provide first aid assistance to visitors.

Access for reduced mobility visitors

Visitors with reduced mobility, who hold proof of disability documentation, can access the château by car via the private entrance. This is situated at the end of Rue Augustin Thierry in Amboise (GPS coordinates: N47.41.31.44/EO: 988.904). 

When you arrive at the gate, please use the intercom to ask our attendant to open the gates. You can then park your vehicle on the château terrace and benefit from single-level access. If possible, please buy your tickets before arriving.

Before going to the reduced mobility visitor entrance, you are invited to purchase your right of access and the services of your choice online here:  Online ticketing

The château is a former Medieval fortress situated on a rocky promontory overlooking the Loire. A listed historic monument, it does not always offer access facilities that meet modern criteria. For this reason, a non-disabled accompanying adult is compulsory. However, for several years the château has been committed to a policy of improvements and services to facilitate access for disabled visitors. In 2022, the château was once again awarded “Tourism and Disability” status for physical, hearing, visual and mental impairments by the National Association for Tourism and Disability.

•  Physical impairment

Visitors with reduced mobility can access the château directly by car via the private entrance situated at the end of Rue Augustin Thierry in Amboise (GPS coordinates: N47.41.31.44/EO: 988.904).The first two floors of the Royal Loggia (dedicated to the Renaissance) and all the gardens are wheelchair accessible. The second floor (dedicated to the 19th century), the only area not physically accessible in a wheelchair, can be experienced through a specific version of the Histopad tablet (provided free of charge at the ticket office, available in 12 languages). In addition, a free-access lift makes it possible to move between the Reduced Mobility parking, the toilets, the Café, the shop, and the ticket office.

•  Visual impairment 

Audio guides are available from our teams upon request, free of charge. In the guards’ room (the first room on the visitor route), tactile models of the château are available for our visually impaired visitors. They make it possible to understand the monument’s layout through touch. Adapted markers (contrasting bands…) are also positioned throughout the route to ensure the safety of our visitors.

•  Hearing impairment 

The Histopad tablet (provided free of charge at the ticket office, available in 12 languages) features images and videos that do not require sound. This makes it possible for our hearing-impaired visitors to fully discover the entire visitor route.

• Mental impairment 

The Histopad tablet (provided free of charge at the ticket office, available in 12 languages) is extremely easy to use, interactive, and focuses strongly on images. Therefore, it is ideal for helping those with a mental impairment discover the château. It can be used individually by the visitor or the supervisor/accompanying adult for an adapted experience.

The château Café and refreshments at Amboise  

The château Café welcomes you every day in July and August to enjoy light meals (snack platters, salads, sandwiches, quiches, and desserts) and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). You can eat on the terrace or takeaway.

During the rest of the year, we offer self-service machines serving hot and cold drinks and biscuits.  

The Royal Château is in the heart of Amboise. Very close by, you will also find a wide choice of eating establishments to suit all budgets. 

The shop

The Royal Château of Amboise shop is open every day during visitor hours. Situated in the château’s former stables, which have been completely renovated, it offers a wide range of items (books, games, decorative objects…) and local products (Gien ceramics, local beer and wine, honey from the château’s hives…).